Leszek Lisowski

DirectorGene Transfer, Targeting and Therapeutics Core

As Director of the Gene Transfer, Targeting and Therapeutics Facility at the Salk Institute, Leszek Lisowski's main focus is on providing comprehensive resources to facilitate the safe and effective use of viral and non-viral gene transfer technologies to study critical problems in all aspects of biological research.

Dr. Lisowski has extensive background in gene delivery and targeting using multiple viral-vector systems. During his Ph.D. training at Cornell University, he developed new and improved lentiviral vectors (LV) for the treatment of beta-thalassemia and hemophilia. He also performed extensive work on the assessment of vector toxicity and the risk of insertional oncogenesis. These studies led to his long-standing interest in viral vectors as vehicles for gene replacement therapy and targeted gene delivery.

For his postdoctoral studies, Dr. Lisowski moved to Stanford University where he broadened his expertise in vector-based gene therapy approaches by mastering many aspects of adeno (Ad) and recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector design, cloning, production and applications. His projects were focused on human embryonic stem cell specific rAAV vectors, in vivo gene therapy vector evolution via multispecies interbreeding, and retargeting of rAAV and novel rAAV vectors capable of non-random integration into the host genome. During his years at Stanford, he helped establish and served as a co-director of the rAAV core for Beta Cell Biology Consortium. As part of this effort, he established novel rAAV vector production protocols, which allow for production of high-titer, high-purity rAAV preparations.

Dr. Lisowski joined the Salk Institute in 2013 to direct and further develop the GT3 Core Facility. As part of GT3, he is improving and developing new protocols for LV, Ad, rAAV production, purification and titering. He is also working on establishing a large depository of AAV, LV and rabies-virus based reagents, which will be invaluable tools in projects related to President Obama's BRAIN Initiative, as well as in many other aspects of basic biological studies.

Education

Medical University of Gdansk, Poland

BS in Biology, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT

PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY